Legislators to work as cohesive group

By JANNETTE PIPPIN - Daily News Staff

Published: Wednesday, January 30, 2013 at 08:31 AM.

When the General Assembly reconvenes at the end of this month, legislators representing North Carolina’s coastal communities plan to work as a more cohesive group to address issues unique to their districts.

A bi-partisan North Carolina Coastal Caucus got its start during an informal meeting of coastal legislators in December in Carteret County, and they head to Raleigh for the upcoming legislative session ready to work cooperatively on issues such funding for waterway dredging and beach nourishment.

Caucuses, groups of like-minded elected representatives, have long been part of the General Assembly. Sen. Harry Brown, R-Onslow, said reviving a Coastal Caucus is particularly important now.

“We’ve lost representation because most of the growth is in Wake and Mecklenburg counties. It’s more important than ever that we work together and have one voice,” he said.

Brown noted that there are five senators representing all or parts of Wake County, while there are five senators representing all of the state’s coastal counties.

The Coastal Caucus will bring together coastal legislators from both parties in the House of Representatives to focus on the issues important to their coastal districts.

Area legislators said that there are critical issues that are unique to this area of the state, and a cooperative effort is needed to make sure the interests of the state’s coastal communities are heard.

When the General Assembly reconvenes at the end of this month, legislators representing North Carolina’s coastal communities plan to work as a more cohesive group to address issues unique to their districts.

A bi-partisan North Carolina Coastal Caucus got its start during an informal meeting of coastal legislators in December in Carteret County, and they head to Raleigh for the upcoming legislative session ready to work cooperatively on issues such funding for waterway dredging and beach nourishment.

Caucuses, groups of like-minded elected representatives, have long been part of the General Assembly. Sen. Harry Brown, R-Onslow, said reviving a Coastal Caucus is particularly important now.

“We’ve lost representation because most of the growth is in Wake and Mecklenburg counties. It’s more important than ever that we work together and have one voice,” he said.

Brown noted that there are five senators representing all or parts of Wake County, while there are five senators representing all of the state’s coastal counties.

The Coastal Caucus will bring together coastal legislators from both parties in the House of Representatives to focus on the issues important to their coastal districts.

Area legislators said that there are critical issues that are unique to this area of the state, and a cooperative effort is needed to make sure the interests of the state’s coastal communities are heard.

Sen. Norman Sanderson, R-Pamlico County, who represents Carteret, Pamlico and Craven counties, said the caucus is needed and one they are going to keep active.

“We’re going to make it happen,” he said. “The first meeting we had was a productive one and I think this is going to help Eastern North Carolina.”

Brown said the caucus will include districts bordering the state’s coastline. The issues impacting the coast, he said, aren’t necessarily the same for more inland areas of Eastern North Carolina.

The need for a dedicated source of funding for beach nourishment, either through a state funding source or a new local revenue source, is one issue expected to come up this session. The Town of Emerald Isle has asked for the authority to levy a local option sales tax for beach nourishment.

There are also ongoing concerns about sea level rise, coastal property insurance costs and a need for a dedicated state funding source for navigation maintenance for waterways used for fishing, recreation and shipping.

Brown said they discussed some of the issues at the December meeting in Atlantic Beach, and he expects there will be some legislation to come out of the discussions.

He said he plans to introduce legislation related to the dredging issue.

“We need to try to find a state revenue source, a dedicated source. Federal dollars have gone away and this has become a state issue,” Brown said.

The formation of the Coastal Caucus has also been one supported by Rep. Pat McElraft, R-Emerald Isle, who expressed her support during a recent legislative luncheon hosted by the Carteret County Chamber of Commerce.

The initiative also had the support of coastal communities, many of which have adopted a resolution of support that has been circulated by the N.C. Beach, Inlet and Waterway Association.

Harry Simmons, mayor of Caswell Beach and executive director of NCBIWA, said coastal communities were invited to adopt the resolution encouraging the formation and “aggressive engagement” of a bi-partisan Coastal Caucus and to forward a copy to their respective legislative delegation.

Simmons said they want legislators know the coastal communities are on board as well.

“We wanted to encourage them to do so and put it to use,” Simmons said.

He said he’s received responses from communities from all parts of the coast indicating their support.

Standing or select committees: Agriculture/Environment/Natural Resources (co-chairman), Appropriations on Natural and Economic Resources (co-chairman), Appropriations/Base Budget, Finance, Rules and Operations of the Senate, State and Local Government